blue basil quilt blockblue basil quilt block
[ Quilt Along/BOM ]

Blue Basil…who knew?!?

My worlds collided with this month’s color challenge! The theme for the 2022 Monthly Color Challenge is Spicy, and May is all about basil. As a pasta lover, I will choose basil pesto sauce every time. And you know I love the color blue. So it was mind-blowing to learn about the African Blue Basil as the inspiration for May’s quilt block.

2022 Monthly Color Challenge Spicy
Variety is the Spice of Life!

blue basil quilt blockblue basil quilt block

Wait…basil is blue?

I am used to a green pesto sauce made from basil leaves. But, the African Blue Basil variety is a great plant to add to your herb garden. An extra bonus is it’s benefit to our friends, the bees. This article explains the plant in great detail

African Blue Basil photo by tomxcoady
African Blue Basil photo by tomxcoady

Favorite pesto recipe

I first tasted this chicken dish when my parents were following a keto diet. It was so delicious, quick, and easy to prepare that it has stayed in our meal plan rotation ever since.

Pesto Chicken

Place 4-8 skinless chicken breasts in a baking dish

Add one layer of sliced proscuitto

Cover with pesto sauce and add a layer of shredded mozzerella cheese

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes (this is not exact…time and temperature may vary. Use a meat thermometor to make sure the chicken is fully cooked!)

Blue Basil Quilt Block

I had some perfect blue batiks for this block.

blue basil batik fabric

The No-Waste Flying Geese method makes four at a time. Here we are, lined up for chain piecing.

no waste flying geese

The instructions recommend drawing a line, then stitching 1/4″ away. I don’t bother with marking, but I do finger- press my pieces so I have a guideline as I am sewing. Want to learn more about my no-mark tricks? Read this blog post!

finger press guidelines
finger press guidelines

The units in this block are put together as a basic nine-patch. Once you understand the construction of that quilting classic, you see it everywhere! In this video, I explain why the nine-patch block is one of my favorites.

nine patch block layout

This flying geese quilt block is set on point. Our final step is to add corner triangles.

corners on a quilt block

And here is the finished quilt block. If you would prefer a straight layout, be sure to download the version 2 instructions that Jen has prepared for us.

blue basil quilt blockblue basil quilt block

More Spicy Bloggers

Take a look at the Blue Basil Quilt Blocks made by some other talented quilters. I love seeing the colorful variations each month!

Jen – Patterns by Jen

Anja – Anja Quilts

Sandy – Sandy Star Designs

Raylee – Sunflower Stitcheries

Kathy – Kathy’s Kwilts & More

 

 

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About Author

TrueBlueQuilts

Longarm Quilter, Pattern Designer, Teacher

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